Bloom enlists in WB’s ‘Troy’

'Rings' thesp joins Pitt, Bana

Orlando Bloom will star in “Troy,” the adaptation of “The Illiad” being directed by Wolfgang Petersen for Warner Bros. and Village Roadshow Pictures.

Bloom will play the role of Paris, the character who instigates the Trojan War that triggers an epic battle between Achilles (Brad Pitt) and Hector (Eric Bana).

David Benioff wrote the script. Filming will begin in London, Malta and Morocco next year for a 2004 release. Petersen and Diana Rathbun are producing.

Since landing his first major role as Legolas in “The Fellowship of the Ring,” Bloom’s screen ascension has been rapid. He stars in upcoming “Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers” and will star in “Pirates of the Caribbean.” He toplined “The Kelly Gang” with Heath Ledger and starred in the Working Title pic “The Calcium Kid.” Bloom’s repped by ICM, the Firm and Brit-based Fiona McLoughlin.